Mainland Orkney is the heart of any visit and is easy to get around by car. A handful of bus services link Kirkwall with Stromness, Birsay, and the South Isles via the Churchill Barriers, but the frequency is low and they do not serve most of the Neolithic sites.
The internal Orkney Ferries network links the smaller islands. Bookings are essential for cars in summer. The crossings to Hoy, Rousay, Westray, Sanday, Papa Westray, and the other islands range from 25 minutes (Tingwall–Rousay) to two hours (Kirkwall–North Isles). The smaller islands can also be reached by Loganair from Kirkwall.
Cycling is excellent on Mainland — quiet roads, modest distances, big skies — but the wind is rarely off, and rain is a constant possibility. Hire from Cycle Orkney in Kirkwall or at the Stromness ferry pier.